Post-Scoliosis Surgery Back Pain

I had the same surgery in 1996 and the past year have been in constant cronic pain my parents who have monitored the placement of my spine for the past 13 years have noticed tonight the my spine has started moving into my ribcage. Is there any hope of a corrective surgery ? Could the rod have disconnected? I have no insurance help ? Could shriners help even tho I am now 26 ? They have me my free surgery in 96

Hi,
I had scoliosis surgery in February 2008 with a 73 degree curvature... its been a huge success and i grew almost 2 inches from it. The one problem i have is that lately my right shoulder is sticking out and somewhat swollen. I take Aleve for it because i cant have anything with Ibuprofen in it. Another thing is that the muscle between the shoulder blade and my spine is extremely tense and when you press just a little bit on it it hurts very bad and cracks when you do that. Has anyone every had this happen to them? My mom is gonna make an appointment for me to go back to the surgeon that did the surgery and im out of gym for a few days but anything that you know would be really appreciated!! Thanks so much in advanced!
Jessica

Hi,
I've had scoliosis for almost 50 years.I had a Harrington rod fusion when I was 28. I had an S-curve until then.I got out of bed and saw my spine turning out of my left side,now at 105 deg. I saw the orthopedic doctor I had seen over the years and after the surgery they corrected it to 75 Deg. A year later my fusion came undone and they had to take out the one rod and replace it with two rods .I have 15 vertabrae of my spine fused. I feel my ribs always feel constricted.My neck and shoulders are pretty sore .I've been going to a chiripractor because the other doctors can't seem to releave my neck of the stiffness.Of course he can't do to much to help me but I'm grateful for any relief.I've learned that prayer and relaxation really help. I've wanted my spine to be straight.Since I seem to be older than most who have posted, I just want to encourage you that you are much more than your body.You probably are more compassionate than most because you have had this crazy sickness.My husband has days when he has to pick dinner up because I can't cook it .I felt like such a burden.He says to spend one moment with me he'd eat anything.I've come to accept who I am and that's been the greatest gift I've ever received.When my clothes don't fit right,when my body feels like someone elses because it doesn't do what I want to do I think of how far its already taken me.I started raising and showing Japanese Chin dogs and it has put agreat deal of joy in my life.I want you to know I do understand the desire and found I was wearing myself out wanting to be someone I couldn't be.
Nancy B

Nancy what a specatcular perspective and I hope it is inspiring to people here as it is me, and I don't even have scoliosis. I think that's a wonderful attitude and I hope other people feel the same way. Thank you for posting it.

M scoliosis started 17 years ago when I was around 40. The doctors wouldn't perform surgery on me for some reason, and today my spine looks like a twisted znd bent stick. I'm in constant pain, and have to now use a wheelchair to get around. I live on pain killers. I'd give my left arm for a chance to live & walk again with or without pain. Have you ever stopped to think what the alternative would be like? Good luck with finding the help you need.

I'm so sorry to hear that the doctors would not perform surgery on you. Did you ever find out precisely why they didn't? I would like to hear a reason if there is any. Thanks!

I had harrington rod surgery in 1976, I was 17. I've been really lucky, the only pain I ever have experienced is in my lower back, left side. I routinely go to the chiropractor, once a month whether I hurt or not. They use the actuator method on me and I swear by it. I am active, do yoga to keep my muscles strong and ride horseback which requires strong abs & back. I really think a good chiropractor to keep everything balanced is the answer!

I had a spinal fusion(harington rods) for scoliosis in 2005, and have had chronic back pain ever since, I also have a tingling burning sensation down the side of my arm down into my pinky and ring finger. I have been through a chronic pain program, lots of physical therapy, it improves for a short time after different modalities, but continues to persist, I have had a EMG to rule out nerve compression, can these tests every be incorrect? Anybody else ever have these problems?
Thanks

Hello, I'm 31 years old and had scoliosis surgery when I was 13. I now have 2 rods in my back. As I've gotten older my back pain acts up like arthritis. Cold, rainy weather makes it "achy". The other night I think I slept on a pillow the wrong way and have been in pain since. It feels like something is up against the rods. I've been on a heating pad for two days along with meds. My insurance will not cover a back specialist nor can I afford a massage at this time. Ever since my surgery my scar/spine is EXTREMELY sensitive. The slighest touch can send me through the roof. Does anyone else feel like this? Any suggestions for the pain?

Thanks in advance!

I also had 2 rods put in my back about 15 years ago when I was 13. It was successful at first but then I noticed at the lowest part of one of the rods, i could feel a bump and it also grinded a little. It expecially bothered me when riding in the car because it rubbed again my back. I went back to a different surgeon for adults and found out the rod was too long. It was sticking out and formed a bursa (sack of fluid) like you have on your elbow. Anyway, they did another surgery and shortened the rod. Everything is perfect there now. I also have the sharp pain in my upper back between my shoulder blades. Normally occurrs if I've been doing weight training for my back or sometimes if i'm vacuuming...not sure what to do about that either.

HEY GUYS AND GIRLS I HAD MY SURGERY IN 1999 TEN YEARS AGO, AND WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IS, WHEN I GET LAZY AND NOT BE ACTIVE MY BACK KILLS ME. THE ONLY TIME IT DOESN'T HURT IS WHEN I WORK ON THE VERTEBRAES THAT ARE FREE WHICH ARE MY LOWER ONE'S. SO I DO SIX INCHES ; LEG RAISES OR WHATEVER YOU WANNA CALL THEM, SIT-UPS AND CRUNCHES ARE NO GOOD THAT'S TO MUCH STRAIN ON YOUR BACK. FRONT HAND PULL-UPS ARE ALSO GOOD. SQUATS ALSO BECAUSE YOU WANT TO MINIMIZE BENDING OVER. TRY THESE AND I'M SURE THESE WILL HELP WITH THE PAIN, BUT THERE IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE SOME PAIN!!! AND AS FAR AS SLEEPING GOES I'M IN THE SAME BOAT AS YOU ALL. FLAT IS WHAT WORKS FOR ME. SO STRENGHEN UP THOSE BACK MUSCLES AND SHOULDERS GUYS AND WE'LL GET THRU THIS TOGETHER, BECAUSE REALLY THE LAST THING YOU GUYS WANT IS TO GO THRU THAT SURGERY AGAIN WE ALL REMEMBER WHAT THAT WAS LIKE!!!!

I had harrington rod infusion when I was 13: I had an S-curve with the top curve at 65 deg and the bottom around 40 deg. The surgery was a success and now I have two 35 degree curves that have not changed. I am now 21 years old and it seems like I've been in constant pain since the day I had the surgery...and that isn't even counting the pain before the surgery. When I had the surgery, I was 5'8", which if you notice, is pretty tall for a 13 year old, and because I grew so quickly, my body adjusted to the curved spine so when they tried to straighten it out, my body had to contort itself. My left side is normal, but my right side is asymmetrical from my left: my right shoulder blade is turned outward and sticks out, making the muscles between it and my spine very tense, swollen, and painful; also my mid-back is turned inward, so I can't lie flat without twisting my spine and ribs. Because of all this, my left side tries to compensate making the whole situation worse. I have gone to my orthopedist many times, and all he can do is give me muscle relaxers and refer me to physical therapy; the muscle relaxers don't work, I've been to physical therapy twice and the only thing that helped was the deep tissue massage. I've gone to a chiropractor, and because of the rods, there isn't much he can do in the way of adjustment. Exercising is hard for me because a, my rods go past my waist and I can't bend, and b, I have heart problems. The only relief comes from really intense, sometimes painful massage. Unfortunately, many massage therapists are reluctant to do this in fear of hurting me. That, and massages are expensive and quite out of the question for a poor college kid.

Jessica! I have the same problem with the shoulder blade. it cracks all the time, and it is very painful. I know that it is sensitive to the touch, but I have found that the only relief comes from massage, and for me I need pretty intense massage. The muscles are really tense, and if let alone they will get even more tense and painful.

I guess I just wonder...will there ever be any relief?

I also have had scoliosis surgery with rods place about 11 years ago, when I was only 12. In the last year I have been having pain in my feet, knees, hip and lower back. At the suggestion of my podiatrist (of all people) I have just started physical therapy. I was not expecting to receive full-body extensive treatment, however, my physical therapist did a through evaluation and has been working with me to rotate my hips back into alignment, to increase mobility in my back and to help realign my shoulder and shoulder blades. While this can be painful, it has really helped over all. I feel that it is important to address mis-alignment in the whole body to minimize pain. So thats what I would try.

I'm 17 now, i had my operation 3 years ago and i get a lot of pain already! i miss school because i can't move. my doctor that did the surgery is now retired. and we haven't been sent a letter to let us know about my 2 year check up. i always get sharp pains in the middle of my back and the right side. as i had one rod holding all my spine straight. i still can't feel the right side of my back from where they broke my ribs to fuse them to the spine. and the sharp pains i get and immobility i get sometimes .. is horrible. is there a way i can stop it? like, another operation?

Hi, I had scoliosis surgery just about 6 months ago and I've been getting sharp pains in the middle of my back when I breathe hard and move wrong and was wondering if anybody had had that before or knew what could be causing it? Any help would be great! Thanks!